Electric vehicle roadway charging system and method of use

ABSTRACT

Techniques for electric vehicle systems, and in particular to electric vehicle charging systems and associated methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, a system for charging an electric vehicle comprises an electrical storage unit, an external power source, a charging panel, and a vehicle controller configured to determine if the electrical storage unit requires charging and configured to determine if conditions allow for deployment of a charging panel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefits of and priority, under 35U.S.C. § 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/255,214,filed on Nov. 13, 2015, entitled “Electric Vehicle Systems andOperation,” and 62/259,536, filed on Nov. 24, 2015, entitled “ChargingTransmission Line Under Roadway for Moving Electric Vehicle,” the entiredisclosure of each is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in itsentirety, for all that it teaches and for all purposes.

This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/259,536, filed on Nov. 24, 2015, entitled “Charging TransmissionLine Under Roadway for Moving Electric Vehicle,” the entire disclosureof which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety,for all that it teaches and for all purposes.

FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to electric vehicle systems, and inparticular to electric vehicle charging systems and associated methodsof use.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, transportation methods have changed substantially. Thischange is due in part to a concern over the limited availability ofnatural resources, a proliferation in personal technology, and asocietal shift to adopt more environmentally friendly transportationsolutions. These considerations have encouraged the development of anumber of new flexible-fuel vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles, andelectric vehicles.

While these vehicles appear to be new they are generally implemented asa number of traditional subsystems that are merely tied to analternative power source. In fact, the design and construction of thevehicles is limited to standard frame sizes, shapes, materials, andtransportation concepts. Among other things, these limitations fail totake advantage of the benefits of new technology, power sources, andsupport infrastructure.

Existing devices and methods to charge electric vehicles are typicallylimited to fixed locations and of are of limited utility. Therefore,there is a need for an adaptable charging system that may operateremotely or while the charging vehicle is moving. This disclosure solvesthose needs.

By way of providing additional background, context, and to furthersatisfy the written description requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112, thefollowing references are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties for all purposes and all that is disclosed: U.S. Pat. No.5,311,973, issued May 17, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,728 issued Oct. 13,1998; U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,600, issued Jul. 16, 2002; U.S. Pat. No.6,879,889 issued Apr. 12, 2005; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,622 issued Oct.1, 2013; and U.S. Pat. Publ. Nos. 2012/0055751 published Mar. 8, 2012;2012/0203410 published Aug. 9, 2012; 2012/0217112, published Aug. 30,2012; 2013/0248311; and 2015/0137801 published May 21, 2015; and PCTApplication No. WO2010/000495 published Jan. 7, 2010.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a system and method of use to provide electricvehicle charging. Specifically, systems and methods to provide chargingthrough induction are presented.

In one embodiment, a system for charging an electric vehicle isdisclosed, the system comprising: an electrical storage unit disposed onan electric vehicle; a power source disposed external to the electricvehicle and configured to charge the electrical storage unit; a chargingpanel in electrical communication with the electrical storage unit; anda vehicle controller configured to determine if the electrical storageunit requires charging and configured to determine if conditions allowfor deployment of a charging panel; wherein the charging panel isconfigured to receive the charge from the power source and charge theelectrical storage unit.

In another embodiment, a method for charging an electric vehicle isdisclosed, the method comprising: determining that an electrical storageunit of the electric vehicle requires a charge; determining if a powersource is available to charge the electrical storage unit; determiningif the electrical storage unit is compatible with the power source toreceive the charge from the power source; determining if conditionsallow for deployment of a charging panel, the charging panel inelectrical communication with the electrical storage unit; wherein thecharging panel is configured to receive the charge from the power sourceand charge the electrical storage unit.

In yet another embodiment, a memory storing instructions that whenexecuted by a processor cause to be performed a method for charging anelectric vehicle is disclosed, comprising: determining that anelectrical storage unit of the electric vehicle requires a charge;determining if a power source is available to charge the electricalstorage unit; determining if the electrical storage unit is compatiblewith the power source to receive the charge from the power source;determining if conditions allow for deployment of a charging panel, thecharging panel in electrical communication with the electrical storageunit; wherein the charging panel is configured to receive the chargefrom the power source and charge the electrical storage unit.

In some embodiments, the system, method and/or memory storinginstructions further comprises: wherein the charging panel is deployed;wherein the charging panel is configured to operate in a plurality ofstates comprising a retracted state and a deployed state; wherein thepower source is disposed within a roadway or on a roadway surface;wherein the charge is received by the electrical storage unit while thevehicle is stationary; wherein the charge is received by the electricalstorage unit while the vehicle is moving; a vehicle sensor configured todetermine if at least one obstacle exists between the charger panel andthe power source; wherein if at least one obstacle exists, the chargingpanel is not deployed; wherein the vehicle controller is furtherconfigured to determine if the electrical storage unit requirescharging; wherein the power source is disposed external to the electricvehicle within a roadway or on a roadway surface; wherein the chargingpanel is configured to operate in a plurality of states comprising aretracted state and a deployed state; wherein if conditions allow fordeployment of a charging panel, the charging panel is operated in thedeployed state; determining if at least one obstacle exists between thecharger panel and the power source; and wherein if at least one obstacleexists, the charging panel is operated in the retracted state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1A shows a vehicle in a charging environment in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B shows charging areas associated with an environment inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A shows a detail view of a vehicle charging panel in a chargereceiving position adjacent to a power source in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B shows a detail view of a vehicle charging panel in protectedpositions in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C shows a detail view of a vehicle charging panel in a chargereceiving position adjacent to a power source in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of a data structure for storinginformation about a charging panel configuration for given roadwaytypes;

FIG. 4 is a flow or process diagram of a method of charging an electricvehicle;

FIG. 5 is a flow or process diagram of a method of positioning acharging panel of an electrical vehicle to receive a charge; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a charging panel control system.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.In certain instances, details that are not necessary for anunderstanding of the invention or that render other details difficult toperceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, thatthe invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodimentsillustrated herein.

To assist in the understanding of the present invention the followinglist of components and associated numbering found in the drawings isprovided herein:

# Component  10 System 100 Vehicle 102 Travel Environment 104 Roadway(Street or Other Travel Path) 108 Charging Panel (retracted) 108′Charging Panel (deployed) 108A Charging Panel Airfoil Flap (extended)110 Charging Panel Controller 112 Energy Storage Unit 113 VehicleDatabase 114 Data Structures 115A-N Data Structure Fields 116 (Charging)Power Source 120 Charging Area 120A-C Various Charging Areas withinTravel Environment 122 Charge Provider Controller 124 Transmission Line126 Vehicle Sensors 127 Separation Distance Sensor 132 Direction or Path140A Parking Space 140B Traffic Controlled Space 204 Armature 208Separation Distance 212 Position for Receiving a Charge 214 Direction214A First Direction (axis) 214B Second Direction (axis) 214C ThirdDirection (axis) 215A-C Roll, Pitch, Yaw Direction (axis) 220 Shield220′ Position

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosedtechniques. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat the present embodiments may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, componentsand circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure thepresent disclosure.

Although embodiments are not limited in this regard, discussionsutilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,” “computing,”“calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analyzing”, “checking”,or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer,a computing platform, a computing system, a communication system orsubsystem, or other electronic computing device, that manipulate and/ortransform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantitieswithin the computer's registers and/or memories into other datasimilarly represented as physical quantities within the computer'sregisters and/or memories or other information storage medium that maystore instructions to perform operations and/or processes.

Although embodiments are not limited in this regard, the terms“plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, for example,“multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” maybe used throughout the specification to describe two or more components,devices, elements, units, parameters, circuits, or the like.

The term “armature” means a moveable portion of an electromagneticsystem or device.

The term “inductive charging” means the use of an EM field to transferenergy between two objects.

Before undertaking the description of embodiments below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well asderivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,”is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, interconnected with,contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, becommunicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximateto, be bound to or with, have, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, circuitry,firmware or software, or combination of at least two of the same. Itshould be noted that the functionality associated with any particularcontroller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally orremotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are providedthroughout this document and those of ordinary skill in the art shouldunderstand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions applyto prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

For purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present techniques. It should beappreciated however that the present disclosure may be practiced in avariety of ways beyond the specific details set forth herein.Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiments illustrated herein showvarious components of the system collocated, it is to be appreciatedthat the various components of the system can be located at distantportions of a distributed network, such as a communications network,node, and/or the Internet, or within a dedicated secured, unsecured,and/or encrypted system and/or within a network operation or managementdevice that is located inside or outside the network. As an example, awireless device can also be used to refer to any device, system ormodule that manages and/or configures or communicates with any one ormore aspects of the network or communications environment and/ortransceiver(s) and/or stations and/or access point(s) described herein.

Thus, it should be appreciated that the components of the system can becombined into one or more devices, or split between devices.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links, includingthe communications channel(s) connecting the elements can be wired orwireless links or any combination thereof, or any other known or laterdeveloped element(s) capable of supplying and/or communicating data toand from the connected elements. The term module as used herein canrefer to any known or later developed hardware, circuit, circuitry,software, firmware, or combination thereof, that is capable ofperforming the functionality associated with that element. The termsdetermine, calculate, and compute and variations thereof, as used hereinare used interchangeable and include any type of methodology, process,technique, mathematical operational or protocol.

With attention to FIGS. 1-6, embodiments of the electric vehiclecharging system 100 and method of use are depicted.

In one embodiment, methods and systems are described that determinewhether a charging panel associated with an electric vehicle should bedeployed to charge an energy storage unit of the vehicle. In someembodiments, an in-roadway (such as a parking space) charging area isemployed. The automobile may require, e.g., a charge, in a properlocation for charging, sufficient time to receive a charge, etc.Conditions are analyzed by the vehicle and/or the charging system,wherein a charge may be authorized. In some embodiments, a chargingpanel or circuit may be distally disposed on an armature that may hoverover a charging circuit in a roadway. The armature may move in threedimensions and/or in three axes to maintain an optimal distance from thecharging circuit but still keep the panel from impacting the roadway orother road hazards. A suite of sensors may monitor the roadway ahead toallow the armature to adjust to sensed hazards.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a vehicle 100 is shown in a charging environmentin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 10comprises a vehicle 100, an electrical storage unit 112, an externalpower source 116 able to provide a charge to the vehicle 100, a chargingpanel 108 mounted on the vehicle 100 and in electrical communicationwith the electrical storage unit 112, and a vehicle charging panelcontroller 112. The charging panel controller 112 may determine if theelectrical storage unit requires charging and if conditions allow fordeployment of a charging panel. The vehicle charging panel 108 mayoperate in at least a retracted state and a deployed state (108 and 108′as shown is FIG. 1A), and is movable by way of an armature 204.

The charging panel controller 112 may receive signals from vehiclesensors 126 to determine, for example, if a hazard is present in thepath of the vehicle 100 such that deployment of the vehicle chargingpanel 108 is inadvisable. The charging panel controller 112 may alsoquery a vehicle database 113 comprising data structures 114 to establishother required conditions for deployment. For example, the database mayprovide that a particular roadway does not provide a charging service orthe charging service is inactive, wherein the charging panel 108 wouldnot be deployed.

The power source 116 may include at least one electrical transmissionline 124 and at least one power transmitter or charging area 120. Duringa charge, the charging panel 108 may serve to transfer energy from thepower source 116 to at least one energy storage unit 112 (e.g., battery,capacitor, power cell, etc.) of the electric vehicle 100.

In some embodiments, the power source 116 may be associated with aparticular charging area of a travel environment 102. Referring to FIG.1B, various charging areas 120A-C are shown in a vehicle travelenvironment 102 in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The charging areas 120A, 120B may be positioned a staticarea such as a designated spot, pad, parking space 140A, 140B, trafficcontrolled space (e.g., an area adjacent to a stop sign, traffic light,gate, etc.), portion of a building, portion of a structure, etc., and/orcombinations thereof. Some static charging areas may require that theelectric vehicle 100 is stationary before a charge, or electrical energytransfer, is initiated. In some cases, the charging panel 108 may make aphysical connection with the power source 116. As can be appreciated,the charging panel 108 may include a plug or other protruding featureand the power source 116 may include a receptacle or other receivingfeature, and/or vice versa.

Another example of a static charging area may include a portion of aroadway 104, street, or other travel path that is configured to provideelectrical charging energy to a charging panel 108 of a vehicle 100. Thecharging area may be in the roadway 104, on the roadway 104, orotherwise adjacent to the roadway 104, and/or combinations thereof. Thisstatic charging area 120B may allow a charge to be transferred evenwhile the electrical vehicle 100 is moving. For example, the staticcharging area 120B may include a charging transmitter (e.g., conductor,etc.) that provides a transfer of energy when in a suitable range of areceiving unit (e.g., an inductor pick up, etc.). In this example, thereceiving unit may be a part of the charging panel 108 associated withthe electrical vehicle 100.

The charging area may be a moving charging area 120C. Moving chargingareas 120C may include charging areas associated with one or moreportions of a vehicle, a robotic charging device, a tracked chargingdevice, a rail charging device, etc., and/or combinations thereof. In amoving charging area 120C, the electrical vehicle 100 may be configuredto receive a charge, via the charging panel 108, while the vehicle 100is moving and/or while the vehicle 100 is stationary. In someembodiments, the electrical vehicle 100 may synchronize to move at thesame speed, acceleration, and/or path as the moving charging area 120C.In one embodiment, the moving charging area 120C may synchronize to moveat the same speed, acceleration, and/or path as the electrical vehicle100. In any event, the synchronization may be based on an exchange ofinformation communicated across a communications channel between theelectric vehicle 100 and the charging area 120C. Additionally oralternatively, the synchronization may be based on informationassociated with a movement of the electric vehicle 100 and/or the movingcharging area 120C. In some embodiments, the moving charging area 120Cmay be configured to move along a direction or path 132 from an originposition to a destination position 120C′.

In some embodiments, a transformer 136A, 136B may be included to converta power setting associated with a main power supply to a power supplyused by the charging areas 120A-C. For example, the transformer 136A,136B may increase or decrease a voltage associated with power suppliedvia one or more power transmission lines.

As can be appreciated, when the electrical vehicle 100 determines that acharge is required, a deployment or charging panel controller 110controller (e.g., a hardware device comprising a processor configured tocontrol an actuation of the charging panel 108, etc.) may determinewhether to deploy the charging panel 108 of the electric vehicle 100.Factors, or conditions, contributing to this determination may include,but is in no way limited to, charge level of the vehicle 100, locationof the vehicle 100, location of a charging area 120, a capability of thecharging area 120 (e.g., energy transfer rating, compatibility with thecharging panel 108 and/or vehicle 100, static charging capability,moving charging capability, etc.), obstacles between the charging panel108 and the charging area 120, anticipated travel path of the vehicle100, time required to charge, travel time, stopping time, etc., and/orcombinations thereof. Among other things, these factors may be analyzedto determine whether the electric vehicle 100 is capable of receiving acharge (e.g., enough time to receive a charge, etc.). Once theseconditions are analyzed by at least one of the deployment controller,another controller of the vehicle, the charging system and/orcombinations thereof, a charge may be authorized. The authorization of acharge may include receiving a charge initiation key (e.g., from anauthentication server, one or more components associated with thecharging area, etc.). In any event, the authorization of the chargecauses the charging panel 108 of the vehicle 100 to deploy.

In some embodiments, mechanism, devices, and systems are described thatselectively position the charging panel into position for receiving acharge 212 (e.g., the charge-receiving position). FIG. 2A shows a detailview of a vehicle charging panel 108 in a charge receiving positionadjacent to a power source 120 in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure. As provided herein, the charging panel 108 of avehicle 100 may need to be deployed or moved into a position forreceiving a charge 212. This position may be based on specific powertransfer requirements, on a specific distance of the charging panel 108relative to the charging area 120, safety requirements, and/or adesignated distance of operation for effecting an electrical energytransfer, or charge 212, operation. While the charging panel 108 may beactuated from a retracted or concealed position into a deployed, orcharge-receiving, position as described above, the charging panel 108may need to be moved, at any time, in response to a detected condition.One example of the detected condition may be an obstacle, obstruction,object, natural condition, chemical, etc., and/or combination thereofthat can potentially damage or otherwise contact the charging panel 108.By way of example, a charging panel 108 may be disposed on an exposedside of a vehicle 100 (e.g., the underside of the vehicle 100, etc.).When the charging panel 108 is actuated into a deployed position, thecharging panel 108 may be vulnerable to damage from variations in aroadway or some other condition. Continuing this example, as a movingvehicle is receiving a charge, via a deployed charging panel 108, anobject on the road 104 may contact and/or damage the charging panel 108.The embodiments described herein may account for variations in terrain,objects, and/or other conditions and selectively move the charging panel108 from a deployed position to a concealed or at least partiallyconcealed position. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 2B, ashield 220 may be inserted or positioned between the object/hazard andthe charging panel 108 to, among other things, prevent damage to thecharging panel 108.

In one embodiment, the charging panel 108 and/or circuit may be distallydisposed on an armature that is configured to hover over a chargingcircuit 116 in a roadway 104. Typically this distance 208 may bepredetermined or preset for energy transfer requirements and/or safety(e.g. via query by controller 110 to database 113), however embodimentsdisclosed herein should not be so limited. In any event, the armature204 may move in one or more dimensions and/or axes to maintain anoptimal or preset distance 208 from the charging circuit 120 whilepreventing the charging panel 108 from impacting the roadway 104,environmental, and/or other hazards. In one embodiment, one or moresensors 126 may monitor the roadway 104 around a vehicle 100 (e.g., anarea or volume of space ahead of or in proximity to a vehicle 100, etc.)at least at a detection distance from the armature 204. This sensormonitoring can allow the armature 204 to timely adjust position inresponse to at least one condition and/or hazard detected by the one ormore sensors 126. Height or separation distance between a point on thecharging panel 108 and the roadway surface 104 and/or charging panel 120is provided by one or more separation sensors 127.

Rather than retract, or at least partially retract, the charging panel108, a minor positional adjustment may be all that is required to avoidcontact with an object or to avoid a hazard. In this embodiment, amovement controller (as contained in controller 110—see e.g. FIG. 6) maydetermine to move the charging panel 108 and/or armature 204 along adirection 214 parallel to the surface of the roadway. For instance, as avehicle 100 is travelling along a path in a first direction 214B, ahazard may be detected in the path via the one or more sensors 126described herein. Continuing this example, the sensor information may beused by a controller of the vehicle 100 to move the charging panel in adirection different 214A, 214C from the first direction 214B. Thedirection different 214A, 214C from the first direction 214B may beorthogonal to the first direction 214B. Additionally or alternatively,the direction different 214C (shown going into and coming out of thepage in FIG. 2A) from the first direction may be along a plane that isparallel to the surface of, or hypothetical plane established by, theroadway 104. In any event, the minor positional adjustment to thecharging panel 108 may be enough to avoid a collision, impact, and/orother contact with the hazard.

The charging panel 108 may be attached to at least one suspensioncomponent of the vehicle 100. In one embodiment, the charging panel 108may be moved via a mechanical connection and based on a movement of atleast one suspension element of the vehicle 100. In some embodiments,the movement may be driven by a mechanical and/or electrical component,actuator, linkage, solenoid, or other mechanism/device. In any event,the movement may be effected in response to detecting a mechanicalmovement of the suspension, the vehicle 100, and/or the roadway 104relative to the charging panel 108, etc.

In some cases, a movement of the charging panel 108 may not be feasibleor even possible. For instance, when a moving obstacle is detected asapproaching the vehicle 100 at speed or an object comes dislodged from aportion of the vehicle 100, the charging panel 108 may not be capable ofmoving quick enough (e.g., from an exposed position to a completely, orat least partially, concealed position, etc.) to prevent impact. In anyevent, a shield 220 or protective panel may be actuated, deployed,inserted, or otherwise positioned into a position 220′ between theobstacle/object and the charging panel 108. When in this position, theshield 220 may serve to absorb, deflect, or otherwise minimize theeffect of an impact or shock. Positioning of the shield 220 may includea spring-loaded actuation, mechanical actuation, electrical actuation,gas actuation, fluid actuation, an explosive deployment (e.g., similarto an airbag or safety restraint system initiation and deployment,sodium azide, potassium nitrate, etc.), etc., and/or combinationsthereof. The shield 220 positioning may be performed in a fraction ofthe time it takes the charging panel 108 to deploy and/or retract.

In one embodiment, one or more sensors 126 may be used to detect anobstacle, object, or other hazard. The one or more sensors 126 mayinclude, but are in no way limited to, image sensors, radio frequencysensors, laser radar or ladar sensors, infrared sensors, mechanicalsensors (e.g., strain gauges, pressure sensors, brush sensors, leafspring sensors, cantilevered motion sensors, etc.), electrical energysensors, etc., and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, anarray of sensors 126 may be used to detect an object and determine, orextrapolate, a position of the object at a particular time. Forinstance, a rock may have been set into motion via making contact with amoving vehicle 100 travelling along a roadway 104. Continuing thisexample, the rock may be bouncing toward the side 216 of the electricalvehicle 100 having the deployed, or at least partially deployed,charging panel 108. The array of sensors 126 in this example maydetermine a trajectory of the rock. Using sensor provided information acontroller of the vehicle may initiate a command to one or more of themovable armature 204, shield 220, charging panel deployment mechanism,retracting device, and/or other device to protect the charging panelfrom damage. As provided above, the protection of the charging panel 108may include moving the charging panel 108 to an at least partiallyconcealed position and/or moving a shield 220 into a position 220′ thatat least partially conceals the charging panel 108. The shield may be abrush, such as a wired cylindrical brush, to clear or receive debrissuch as roadway debris.

FIG. 2C shows a detail view of a vehicle charging panel 108 in a chargereceiving position adjacent to a power source wherein the charging panelis an airfoil shape. In this embodiment, the charging panel 108 maycomprise an airfoil flap 108A. The airfoil shape in some situations mayprovided improved control and/or positioning and/or structural stabilityto the charging panel 108 with respect to maintaining charging distanceto charging panel 120 (as embedded in a roadway or flush with a roadwaysurface). More specifically, when the vehicle 100 is moving atsufficient speed, aerodynamic forces or loads will be generated andimposed on any structures fitted between the bottom of the vehicle andthe roadway. Furthermore, such nominal aerodynamic loads may beexasperated due to the relatively small distance between the lowered ordeployed charging panel and the roadway causing the aerodynamic flow tobe in ground effect (causing ever higher aerodynamic loads). As such, anairfoil shape will enable improved control on the aerodynamic loading onthe charging panel and likely improved positioning stability. Themovement or positioning of the chargin panel 108, comprising 3-dtranslation (214A-C) and 3-d rotation (roll, pitch, yaw) may becontrolled via controller 110 as enabled by one or more separationsensors 127. A loading sensor may further be configured to obtainloading at one or points on the charging panel. FIG. 6 details theoperation of such a feedback control system for positioning of thecharging panel 108. Note that sensor 127 would be disposed on armature204 and/or charging panel 108 in a manner so as not to disturb theairfoil shape. Also, the flap 108A affords additional control.Furthermore, the manner in which charging panel 108 in mounted in FIG.2C would nominal produce a downward lifting force on the panel 108 giventhe airfoils chamber relative to the roadway. The airfoil shape may alsobe mounted so as to produce an upward listing force. In otherembodiments, alternative aerodynamic shapes are positioned upstreamand/or downstream of the charging panel to improve airflow (egstraighten incoming airflow) or for other reasons as know to thoseskilled in the art.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of a data structure 114 for storinginformation about a charging panel configuration for given roadwaytypes. The data structures are stored in vehicle database 113 andaccessible by vehicle controller 110. The data contained in datastructure 114 enables, among other things, for the vehicle controller110 to initially position and to control the position of a deployedcharging panel 108. Exemplar data may comprise panel type 115A meaningtype of charging panel configured to vehicle comprising a flat panel (egof FIGS. 2A-B and an airfoil e.g. of FIG. 2C); roadway type 115B e.g. aninterstate (Colorado Interstate 25) or state highway e.g. ColoradoHighway 36; a nominal recommended separation distance 115C between a setdatum e.g. the lower surface of the panel and the roadway, e.g. 8inches; a pitch angle 115D for the panel, a flap setting 115E (asappropriate), maximum vertical load 115F allowed to the charging panel;obstacle risk level 115G (this may allow tuning or adjustment of thesensitivity of obstacle sensor 126, e.g. signal/noise ratio of a radarsensor, or trip thresholds as to a forward obstacle detection); roadwaypower type 115H; and other 115I which may comprises if roadway iscurrently operational, costs of charging, etc. Further data fields 115N,115M are possible.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, FIG. 4 provides a flow chart illustratingan exemplary method of use of charging an electric vehicle 100 by way ofthe system 10. Generally, the method 400 starts at step 404 and ends atstep 428.

After starting at step 404, at step 408 the method 400 queries as towhether charging is required by the electric vehicle 100. If charging isrequired, the method proceeds to step 412. If charging is not required,the method 400 proceeds to step 428 and the method 400 ends. At step412, a query is made as to if a power source is available. That is, isthe energy source (such as provided in a various charging area 120A-C)able to provide a charging service to electric vehicle 100. The querymay be facilitated and/or determined by way of controller 110 anddatabase 113. If NO (that is, no charging available), the methodproceeds to step 428 and ends. If the result of the query of step 412 isYES, the method proceeds to step 416.

At step 416 a query is made as to whether the vehicle 100 and/or chargepanel 108 is configured to receive the charging from power source. Sucha query may be facilitated by communications between vehicle “smart”control systems (eg controller 110) of one or both of vehicle 100 andcharging area 120A-C. The query may be facilitated and/or determined byway of controller 110 and database 113. Note that incompatibilities mayinclude min/max energy transfer thresholds (eg voltages). If NO (ie thevehicle is incompatible with the power source) the method proceeds tostep 428 and ends. If the result of the query of step 516 is YES, themethod proceeds to step 420.

At step 420, a query is made to determine if conditions allow chargingpanel to be deployed. Here, database 113 may be queried to determine ifpower is available from a particular roadway. Additionally oralternatively, one or more sensors 126 may determine that an obstaclepresents undue risk of damage to the charging panel so as to determinethat conditions do not allow charging panel deployment. If the answer toquery of step 420 is YES, the charging panel is deployed and the methodcontinues to step 424. If NO the method proceeds to step 428 and ends.At step 424 the deployed charge panel 108 receives a charge and themethod proceeds to step 528 wherein the method ends.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, FIG. 5 provides a flow chart illustratingan exemplary method of positioning a charging panel 108 of an electricalvehicle 100 to receive a charge by way of the system 10. Generally, themethod 500 starts at step 504 and ends at step 528.

After starting at step 504, at step 508 the method queries as to whethercharging is required by the electric vehicle 100. If charging isrequired, the method proceeds to step 512. If charging is not required,the method 500 proceeds to step 528 and the method 500 ends. At step512, a query is made as to if a power source is available. That is, isthe energy source (such as provided in a various charging area 120A-C)able to provide a charging service to electric vehicle 100? The querymay be facilitated and/or determined by way of controller 110 anddatabase 113. If NO (that is no charging available), the method proceedsto step 528 and ends. If the result of the query of step 512 is YES, themethod proceeds to step 516.

At step 516, the controller 110 queries the database 113 to determinethe nominal conditions for deployment of the charging panel 108. Forexample (with regards to FIG. 3), if the charging panel is of type“Airfoil A4” and vehicle 100 is traveling on CO 1-25, the charging panelis set to separation distance 8 inches and with pitch and flap at 0degrees. The method then proceeds to step 520 wherein the charging panel108 is positioned to the nominal set deployment conditions establishedin step 520. (In one embodiment, prior to step 520, a query is made,akin to step 420 of method 400, to determine if conditions allow fordeployment of the charging panel.) At step 524 the deployed charge panel108 receives a charge and the method proceeds to step 528 wherein themethod ends.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a charging panel control system 600.Generally, the control system 600 is a feedback control system tocontrol the separation distance between the charging panel 108 and theroadway (or more generally, the charging source). Selected separationdistance is input (as determined by way of query to database 113 ormanually entered by user) and compared with a measured separationdistance (as from a separation distance sensor 127) to compute an errorsignal. The error signal is received by the controller 110 to determinecontrol inputs to actuator of armature 204 which moves the chargingpanel 108. The error signal will typically be non-zero due todisturbances to the charging panel, such as aerodynamic loads generatedwhile the vehicle is in motion. The controller 110 may employ any knowntypes of feedback control known to those skilled in the art, comprisingstochastic control, proportional, interal and/or derivative control,non-linear control and deterministic control. In other embodiments, aplurality of sensor 127 inputs are provided and/or a plurality ofseparation distances and/or loading measures are controlled. Forexample, a pair of positional sensors may be positioned at ends of theleading edge of an airfoil type charging panel whereby pitch and/or rollare controlled as well as distance from the roadway. Furthermore, aloading sensor may be positioned on the armature to measure the loadingimparted to the armature shaft, so as to provide an ability to, forexample, determine if a threshold value for do-not-exceed loading (asstored in database 113) has been exceeded.

In one embodiment, the charging area 120A-C and/or power source 116provides notice to the vehicle 100, controller 110, and/or vehicle userthat charging service is available and/or terms and conditions thereof.The notice may comprise targeted communications eg by texting tovehicles within a selectable distance. The content of the notice maycomprise: the availability of charging, and terms and conditions ofcharging (cost, payment types, amount available, duration of chargingtime, etc). The notice may comprise a physical mounted advertisementthat charging is available, not unlike a taxi “off duty” or “on duty”light mounted on a taxi rooftop.

In one embodiment, the charging panel 108 is maneuvered manually, e.g.by a vehicle user, a vehicle passenger, or an attendant at a stationarycharging environment.

In one embodiment, the charging panel 108, through use of the feedbackcontroller 110 described in one embodiment as FIG. 6, maintains a“terrain following” i.e. “TF” mode wherein the planar lower surface ofthe charging panel 108 maintains a constant height above (or “altitude”)above the roadway surface. In the case of a truly flat or planarroadway, such a TF mode would only require vertical movement of thecharging panel 108 in one variable (the separation distance 208), theone variable being a vertical distance. If the roadway is not trulyplanar (relative to the charging panel 108), perhaps due to a roadwaycrown or perhaps due to a slight roll in the vehicle posture due tonon-uniformly inflated tires, then the controller 108 may maintain morethan one variable. That is, perhaps a slight roll angle in addition tovertical height above the roadway. More specifically, a vehicletraveling in the USA in the right hand lane typically encounters aroadway crown that rises to the left toward the roadway centerline,thereby requiring a slight roll right configuration of the chargingpanel 108. As such, the controller would be maintaining both a rollposition and a vertical height position. Such a multivariable feedbackcontroller may be similar to that shown in FIG. 6 or, in someembodiments, of any design known to those skilled in the art. Note thatroadway crown may, in one embodiment, be a data record maintained indatabase 113. Furthermore, vehicle sensors 126 may comprise one or moresensors able to measure roadway crown and/or other features of anon-planar roadway and/or a non-parallel relationship between the lowersurface of the charging panel and the roadway (e.g. vertical distancesensors at each corner of the vehicle measuring distance from vehicle tothe roadway).

In the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed techniques.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent techniques may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuitshave not been described in detail so as not to obscure the presentdisclosure.

Although embodiments are not limited in this regard, discussionsutilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,” “computing,”“calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analysing”, “checking”,or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer,a computing platform, a computing system, a communication system orsubsystem, or other electronic computing device, that manipulate and/ortransform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantitieswithin the computer's registers and/or memories into other datasimilarly represented as physical quantities within the computer'sregisters and/or memories or other information storage medium that maystore instructions to perform operations and/or processes.

Although embodiments are not limited in this regard, the terms“plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, for example,“multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” maybe used throughout the specification to describe two or more components,devices, elements, units, parameters, circuits, or the like. Forexample, “a plurality of stations” may include two or more stations.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this document: the terms “include” and“comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion withoutlimitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases“associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivativesthereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with,interconnected with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with,couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave,juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a propertyof, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system orpart thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may beimplemented in hardware, circuitry, firmware or software, or somecombination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that thefunctionality associated with any particular controller may becentralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions forcertain words and phrases are provided throughout this document andthose of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, ifnot most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as futureuses of such defined words and phrases.

The exemplary embodiments will be described in relation tocommunications systems, as well as protocols, techniques, means andmethods for performing communications, such as in a wireless network, orin general in any communications network operating using anycommunications protocol(s). Examples of such are home or accessnetworks, wireless home networks, wireless corporate networks, and thelike. It should be appreciated however that in general, the systems,methods and techniques disclosed herein will work equally well for othertypes of communications environments, networks and/or protocols.

For purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present techniques. It should beappreciated however that the present disclosure may be practiced in avariety of ways beyond the specific details set forth herein.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links (which maynot be shown connecting the elements), including the communicationschannel(s) connecting the elements, can be wired or wireless links orany combination thereof, or any other known or later developedelement(s) capable of supplying and/or communicating data to and fromthe connected elements. The term module as used herein can refer to anyknown or later developed hardware, circuit, circuitry, software,firmware, or combination thereof, that is capable of performing thefunctionality associated with that element. The terms determine,calculate, and compute and variations thereof, as used herein are usedinterchangeable and include any type of methodology, process, technique,mathematical operational or protocol.

Moreover, while some of the exemplary embodiments described herein aredirected toward a transmitter portion of a transceiver performingcertain functions, or a receiver portion of a transceiver performingcertain functions, this disclosure is intended to include correspondingand complementary transmitter-side or receiver-side functionality,respectively, in both the same transceiver and/or anothertransceiver(s), and vice versa.

While the above-described flowcharts have been discussed in relation toa particular sequence of events, it should be appreciated that changesto this sequence can occur without materially effecting the operation ofthe embodiment(s). Additionally, the exact sequence of events need notoccur as set forth in the exemplary embodiments. Additionally, theexemplary techniques illustrated herein are not limited to thespecifically illustrated embodiments but can also be utilized with theother exemplary embodiments and each described feature is individuallyand separately claimable.

Additionally, the systems, methods and protocols can be implemented toimprove one or more of a special purpose computer, a programmedmicroprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuitelement(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signalprocessor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such as discreteelement circuit, a programmable logic device such as PLD, PLA, FPGA,PAL, a modem, a transmitter/receiver, any comparable means, or the like.In general, any device capable of implementing a state machine that isin turn capable of implementing the methodology illustrated herein canbenefit from the various communication methods, protocols and techniquesaccording to the disclosure provided herein.

Examples of the processors as described herein may include, but are notlimited to, at least one of Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 800 and 801, Qualcomm®Snapdragon® 610 and 615 with 4G LTE Integration and 64-bit computing,Apple® A7 processor with 64-bit architecture, Apple® M7 motioncoprocessors, Samsung® Exynos® series, the Intel® Core™ family ofprocessors, the Intel® Xeon® family of processors, the Intel® Atom™family of processors, the Intel Itanium® family of processors, Intel®Core® i5-4670K and i7-4770K 22 nm Haswell, Intel® Core® i5-3570K 22 nmIvy Bridge, the AMD® FX™ family of processors, AMD® FX-4300, FX-6300,and FX-8350 32 nm Vishera, AMD® Kaveri processors, Texas Instruments®Jacinto C6000™ automotive infotainment processors, Texas Instruments®OMAP™ automotive-grade mobile processors, ARM® Cortex™-M processors,ARM® Cortex-A and ARM926EJ-S™ processors, Broadcom® AirForceBCM4704/BCM4703 wireless networking processors, the AR7100 WirelessNetwork Processing Unit, other industry-equivalent processors, and mayperform computational functions using any known or future-developedstandard, instruction set, libraries, and/or architecture.

Furthermore, the disclosed methods may be readily implemented insoftware using object or object-oriented software developmentenvironments that provide portable source code that can be used on avariety of computer or workstation platforms. Alternatively, thedisclosed system may be implemented partially or fully in hardware usingstandard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whether software or hardware isused to implement the systems in accordance with the embodiments isdependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the system, theparticular function, and the particular software or hardware systems ormicroprocessor or microcomputer systems being utilized. Thecommunication systems, methods and protocols illustrated herein can bereadily implemented in hardware and/or software using any known or laterdeveloped systems or structures, devices and/or software by those ofordinary skill in the applicable art from the functional descriptionprovided herein and with a general basic knowledge of the computer andtelecommunications arts.

Moreover, the disclosed methods may be readily implemented in softwareand/or firmware that can be stored on a storage medium to improve theperformance of: a programmed general-purpose computer with thecooperation of a controller and memory, a special purpose computer, amicroprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the systems and methodscan be implemented as program embedded on personal computer such as anapplet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server orcomputer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated communicationsystem or system component, or the like. The system can also beimplemented by physically incorporating the system and/or method into asoftware and/or hardware system, such as the hardware and softwaresystems of a communications transceiver.

Various embodiments may also or alternatively be implemented fully orpartially in software and/or firmware. This software and/or firmware maytake the form of instructions contained in or on a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. Those instructions may then be readand executed by one or more processors to enable performance of theoperations described herein. The instructions may be in any suitableform, such as but not limited to source code, compiled code, interpretedcode, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Such acomputer-readable medium may include any tangible non-transitory mediumfor storing information in a form readable by one or more computers,such as but not limited to read only memory (ROM); random access memory(RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; a flashmemory, etc.

It is therefore apparent that there has at least been provided systemsand methods for laser and optical charging and communications. While theembodiments have been described in conjunction with a number ofembodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications andvariations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in theapplicable arts. Accordingly, this disclosure is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that arewithin the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for charging an electric vehiclecomprising: an electrical storage unit disposed on an electric vehicle;a power source disposed external to the electric vehicle and configuredto charge the electrical storage unit; a charging panel in electricalcommunication with the electrical storage unit; a vehicle databasecomprising required conditions for deployment of the charging panel; anda vehicle controller that determines if the electrical storage unitrequires charging and when the electrical storage unit is determined torequire charging, the vehicle controller determines if conditions allowfor deployment of the charging panel, wherein determining if conditionsallow for deployment include the vehicle controller querying the vehicledatabase for the required conditions for deployment of the chargingpanel, the required conditions including information on chargingservices associated with a particular roadway the electric vehicle ison; wherein the charging panel receives the charge from the power sourceand charges the electrical storage unit.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the charging panel is deployed.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the charging panel is configured to operate in a plurality ofstates comprising a retracted state and a deployed state.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein the power source is disposed within a roadway or ona roadway surface.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the charge isreceived by the electrical storage unit while the vehicle is stationary.6. The system of claim 4, wherein the charge is received by theelectrical storage unit while the vehicle is moving.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a vehicle sensor configured to determine ifat least one obstacle exists between the charging panel and the powersource.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein if at least one obstacleexists between the charging panel and the power source, the chargingpanel is not deployed.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehiclecontroller is further configured to determine if the electrical storageunit requires charging.
 10. A method for charging an electric vehiclecomprising: determining, by a microprocessor, that an electrical storageunit of the electric vehicle requires a charge; querying, by themicroprocessor and in response to determining that the electricalstorage unit of the electric vehicle requires the charge, a vehicledatabase comprising information on charging services associated with aparticular roadway the electric vehicle is on; determining, by themicroprocessor and based on the information on charging services, if apower source is available to charge the electrical storage unit;determining, based on the information on charging services, if theelectrical storage unit is compatible with the power source to receivethe charge from the power source; querying, by the microprocessor and inresponse to determining that the electrical storage unit is compatiblewith the power source, the vehicle database for required conditions fordeployment of a charging panel, wherein the charging panel is inelectrical communication with the electrical storage unit; and deployingthe charging panel when the required conditions allow for deployment ofthe charging panel; wherein the charging panel is configured to receivethe charge from the power source and charge the electrical storage unit.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the power source is disposedexternal to the electric vehicle within a roadway or on a roadwaysurface.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the charge is received bythe electrical storage unit while the vehicle is stationary.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the charge is received by the electricalstorage unit while the vehicle is moving.
 14. The method of claim 11,wherein the charging panel is configured to operate in a plurality ofstates comprising a retracted state and a deployed state.
 15. The methodof claim 14, wherein if conditions allow for deployment of a chargingpanel, the charging panel is operated in the deployed state.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising determining if at least oneobstacle exists between the charging panel and the power source, andfurther comprising determining if the electrical storage unit iscompatible with the power source to receive the charge from the powersource.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein if at least one obstacleexists between the charging panel and the power source, the chargingpanel is operated in the retracted state.
 18. A memory storinginstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause to be performed amethod for charging an electric vehicle comprising: determining that anelectrical storage unit of the electric vehicle requires a charge;querying, in response to determining that the electrical storage unit ofthe electric vehicle requires the charge, a vehicle database comprisinginformation on charging services associated with a particular roadwaythe electric vehicle is on; determining, based on the information oncharging services, if a power source is available to charge theelectrical storage unit; determining, based on the information oncharging services, if the electrical storage unit is compatible with thepower source to receive the charge from the power source; querying, inresponse to determining that the electrical storage unit is compatiblewith the power source, the vehicle database for required conditions fordeployment of a charging panel, wherein the charging panel is inelectrical communication with the electrical storage unit; and deployingthe charging panel when the required conditions allow for deployment ofthe charging panel; wherein the charging panel receives the charge fromthe power source and charges the electrical storage unit.
 19. The memorystoring instructions of claim 18, wherein the power source is disposedexternal to the electric vehicle on a roadway surface, wherein thecharge is received by the electrical storage unit while the vehicle isstationary, and wherein if conditions allow for deployment of a chargingpanel, the charging panel is operated in a deployed state.
 20. Thememory storing instructions of claim 19, wherein the instructions, thatwhen executed by the processor, further cause the processor to performthe method comprising determining if at least one obstacle existsbetween the charging panel and the power source, and wherein if at leastone obstacle exists between the charging panel and the power source, thecharging panel is operated in a retracted state.